Smooth Jazz Therapy

Leo P - Comin' Up Aces

A one time New York subway artist whose music made him a YouTube sensation, Leo Pellegrino (aka Leo P) has just released his debut album ‘Comin’ Up Aces’ on the Shanachie Entertainment label.

This big ballsy and brass infused extravaganza has its touch-points in funk, blues, salsa and so much more while Leo’s playing on baritone sax has redefined this often misunderstood and underused instrument.  Seven original tunes sit handsomely with carefully crafted reimagining’s of classics such as Earth Wind & Fire’s ‘Serpentine Fire’, the Charlie Mingus number ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ and Eddie Harris’ ‘Cold Duck Time’.  This latter track features smooth jazz heavyweight and former Tower of Power sax-man Richard Elliot doing what he does best.  It’s right up there with the best that ‘Comin Up Aces’ has to offer and in this respect it is in the good company of a Leo P original, ‘Timeless Love’ that from tender beginnings ultimately allows Leo to blow up quite a storm.

 

  

Steve Oliver - Sojourn

When first engaging with ‘Sojourn’, the latest album from the multi talented Steve Oliver, chances are you will hear orchestras, piano, sitar, and various electronic elements. Yet each song is played completely live with only one guitar.  No other instruments are used.  Every one of the twelve tracks was recorded live in Steve’s studio with no overdubs.

Of course those familiar with Steve’s music will know that as well as being a fabulous guitarist he is an equally excellent vocalist.  But that’s not all.  He is an also an engaging and different voice artist with the ability to use of his synthesized guitar to conjure up a whole range of instrumental and orchestral sounds.  That’s what ‘Sojourn’ is all about.

It is a response to his many fans that over the years have asked him for such an offering.  The first single ‘Morning Touch’ set the scene and the second to hit the airwaves ‘New Heights’ showcases to perfection the lightness of touch that Oliver deploys throughout.

 

 

Lindsey Webster - I'm OK

Replete with cool collaborations with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz ‘Reasons’ by vocalist Lindsey Webster is one of the standout albums of 2022.  Out now on the Shanachie Entertainment label it has already garnered considerable airplay with tracks such as the smoky streetwise ‘Stay With Me’ featuring legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker, the sumptuously jazzy  ‘I Didn’t Mean featuring Brian Culbertson on trombone, Lil John Roberts on Drums, Lenny Castro on Percussion, Chris Snowden on bass, Chris Harris on guitar and Lindsay’s long time writing partner Keith Slattery on keys.

Now, and just to prove that ‘Reasons’ is very much the gift that keeps on giving Lindsey is back on radio with ‘I’m OK’ where she shares the spotlight with Nicholas Payton.

Another great track from a collection rammed full of them.

 

 

Hil St. Soul - Back In Love

‘Back In Love’ from the award winning Hilary Mwelwa (aka Hil St. Soul) is her first album in fourteen years and was released November 18 on the Shanachie Entertainment label.  Constructed over a three-year period, and very much a labour of love, Hilary collaborated with producers Regi Myrix, Lorenzo Johnson and Prince Damon to release a series of singles that have now all found their way onto ‘Back In Love’.  Take for example the easy grooving ‘One Life’ that has been described elsewhere as an instant classic or ‘In My Groove’ that has quickly become a personal favourite.  Both were originally released in 2020 and a year later came the sumptuous ‘Blessed’ and a cool reworking of the Ohio Players hit ‘Heaven Must Be Like This’.

 

Hil St. Soul - A Feeling So Beautiful

Ahead of her first album in fourteen years the award winning Hilary Mwelwa (aka Hil St. Soul) is back on the airwaves with the sublimely soulful ‘A Feeling So Beautiful’.  Indeed after a couple of appetite whetting singles over the past couple of years she is ready to make her official return with ‘Back In Love’ that will be released November 18 on the Shanachie Entertainment label.

 

Paul Hardcastle - Coastline Crusader

Variously described as soothing yet edgy, ethereal yet rock solid, street-wise yet sensitive, the current CD from Trippin N Rhythm recording artist Paul Hardcastle is titled  ‘Hardcastle X’.  It marks yet another milestone in Hardcastle’s redoubtable career and is crammed full of the grooves that over the years have become his calling card.

Testimony to this was ‘Wavelength’, the first single to be serviced to radio and much could be said of the follow up ‘Angelic Chimes’ that I described at the time as arguably the album’s best track.

Now he is going three for three with the radio ready ‘Coastline Crusader’.

Check it out

 

 

Merlon Devine - Stirred

Taken from his 2021 album ‘Soul Jazz’ comes the dexterous ‘Stirred’ from sax-man Merlon Devine.  It is the third single from what is Devine’s eighth solo recording and was written by Devine with producer Matt Godina who has worked with smooth jazz exponents such as Darren Rahn, Julian Vaughn, Nicholas Cole and Lin Rountree.

Godina also features on keys with the line-up being completed by bass player Kevin “Mr. Kevin Jerome” Stancil and drummer Lester Estelle, Jr.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas to parents who pastored a church, his music is informed by influences such as those brought by Grover Washington, Jr., Najee, George Howard and Kirk Whalum.

As Merlon explains  “My love for contemporary jazz grew as I grew as a player. Listening to these saxophonists, mixed with the soulful and heartfelt riffs I was hearing at church, shaped me into what I am today”.